Congress leaders take stock of Kadapa bypoll

Hyderabad, May 10: Congress leaders on Tuesday, May 10 discussed the possible outcome of the by-election to Kadapa Lok Sabha and Pulivendula Assembly constituencies at a review meeting amid strong indications that Health Minister D L Ravindra Reddy, the party candidate for Kadapa seat could find it difficult to secure his deposit.

Chief Minister N Kiran Kumar Reddy, Pulivendula candidate and former Agriculture Minister Y S Vivekananda Reddy, MLA Veerasiva Reddy, Ravindra Reddy and others participated in the post-poll review here.

Results of the by-election will be out on May 13.

Informed sources said after the meeting that the leaders were resigned to the fact that the Congress did not stand a chance of winning either Kadapa or Pulivendula because of a ''strong sympathy wave'' in favour of YSR Congress party president Y S Jaganmohan Reddy and his mother Vijayalakshmi.

Besides, they also could not match Jagan's ''money power'', Ravindra Reddy and Veerasiva Reddy reportedly told the Chief Minister.

Veerasiva Reddy complained to the Chief Minister that Kadapa district Superintendent of Police Tarun Joshi acted against the Congress.

"In particular, I was totally harassed by the SP. I am going to move a privilege motion against him," the MLA later told newsmen.

PTI